Review: The sixth instalment of this series brings together established names with upcoming producers in the deep house / techno scene. Representing the established artists is Dave DK, who has been releasing music for almost two decades: unsurprisingly, his contribution, "Immer Gut" is a wonderfully delicate affair, revolving around introspective piano lines, soft-focused filters and fragile percussion. He's joined by Luke Hess, a regular on Omar S' label and whose pumping "Platte" explores the moody end of dub techno, thanks to its dramatic chord sweeps. However, the compilation is also successful in highlighting the fact that there is a lot of new talent out there, with Anton Djaneiro's wonderfully evocative "Heimweh" and Sevvero's techy "Artemis" both standing out.
Review: It's that time again: Cologne institution Kompakt return with their annual round up of what's hot in contemporary house and techno - all with the distinct hallmarks in harmony with their aesthetic: deep, intelligent and absolutely evocative. Rest assured that all the usual suspects appear - label stalwarts such as Jorg Burger, Jurgen Paape, Gui Boratto and of course head honchos the Voigt brothers. Elsewhere there are some regulars and newbies alike such as Los Angeleno Sonns on the sun-kissed and tripped-out "Tame" (feat Beesh), veteran John Tejada with the bold melodics of "Detector" (a cut from his brilliant new Dead Start Program LP), lo-slung cosmo-balearica by Ghost Vision on "Zuul" and the legendary Jake Williams aka Rex The Dog on the epic dance floor drama of "Crasher". Another tremendously curated compilation that's essential listening.
Review: While his online sets are rare, it is more likely to find Dixon in remix mode. Here, he teases out two versions of "Dschuna", a track from Danilo 'Motor City Drum Ensemble' Plessow and Marcus Worgull's second album as Vermont. On his two versions, the veteran German producer lays down gentle, undulating grooves that feature dreamy chants, hypnotic flutes and some warm, soulful woodwind. They are calming but captivating affairs that showcase his expertise in this format. By contrast, I:Cube drops a raucous, house take on "Skortbut", while Wasserman completes the package, with a blissed out, heads-down 'Krautramatrik' take on "Paradigma".
Review: Having reached its seventeenth volume, the Total series is making its transition from adolescence into adulthood, but it has lost none of its youthful charms. Like previous editions, it features highlights from the German label's recent releases - including anthems from Laurent Garnier and The Orb - alongside some new gems. The latter category sees Thomas/Mayer deliver the tripped out, acid playfulness of "25", while Kompakt regular Superpitcher chimes in with the angelic vocals and skipping groove of "In My Head". Speaking of otherworldly moments, Jurgen Paape's "Always Disko" is a spaced out disco track from another dimension. Trends and fads come and go, but Kompakt will forever remain a constant, defined by its Total series.
Review: After much ado, it is finally time for the second offering by Vermont aka Danilo Plessow aka Motor City Drum Ensemble and Marcus Worgull of Innvervisions who delve into all things exotic and balearic on this sublime 12 track journey where they take a break from their more club oriented music respectively. Mostly a beatless affair, these tracks are full of shimmering vintage synths, gentle arpeggios and even more traditional instruments like bass and slide guitar that make a perfect accompaniment for drifting or road trips alike. Features the recent, gorgeous single "Nordeney" alongside a brilliant collection of many other sublime cosmic/psychedelic/ambient cuts.
Review: Danilo Plessow aka Motor City Drun Ensemble and Marcus Worgull of Innervisions fame serve up the first single from of their second album as Vermont. "Nordeney" is a smooth, cruising, balearic tinged drifter with mellow guitar notes, synth bass and uplifting key tones that will appeal to fans of Gaussian Curve or Claremont 56 style exotica.
Review: Kompakt's annual label sampler returns for a 15th year, gathering together another 24 highlights from the long running Cologne imprint's ever growing back catalogue. As usual, there are numerous styles represented - from the spiraling dancefloor synth-pop of Kolsch and punk-influenced techno of Audion, to the soft focus melodies and hypnotic beats of Gui Boratto, and the intoxicating global electronics of Jurgen Paap - as well as much-played tracks from some of the imprint's most notable talents (see the contributions from Rex The Dog, Superpitcher, Matias Aguayo and John Tejada, whose "Two O One" is a tuneful techno delight).
Review: As its title suggests, these remixes are the latest interpretations of tracks from Vermont's debut album. Like the Prins Thomas versions that preceded them, they make the most of Vermont's glistening melodies and Krautrock-inspired abstractions. Mano Le Tough fuses the dreamy reverie of "Abersprung" to a rumbling bass and a succession of clap volleys. Marcus Worgull's take on the same track isn't as full on and makes use of yelping acid and hissing percussion to plot out a more understated approach. Finally, the DJ Tennis edit of "Majestat" sees tough beats and a dubbed out groove fused with Vermont's melodic flights of fancy.
Review: Given the abundance of krautrock influences and cosmic synthesizer sounds on the Vermont debut album (simply titled Vermont), Prins Thomas was the natural choice to provide remixes. Here, he puts his typically cosmic, space-leaning stamp on three tracks from Dani Plessow and Marcus Worgull's much-hyped set. First, the Full Pupp boss delivers a chugging, hypnotic version of "Dynamik" full of rising and falling electronics and fizzing techno percussion. A slower, more Scandolearic take on "Elektron" follows, before Thomas memorably turns "Macchina" into a head-nodding chunk of woozy ambient dub. It's this, more than the EP's other dancefloor-focused moments, which really impresses.
Review: Kompakt has always had a knack for signing the right record at the right time and this debut LP from Vermont aka Marcus Worgull and Motor City Drum Ensemble's Danilo Plessow is an absolute winner! The album is basically any synth lover's paradise, where sparse but rhythmic melodies glide in and out of foreboding tunnels and more docile landscapes. We're especially pleased with Plessow's impressive step into more experimental, Krautrocky territories and really putting his synth collection to work here.
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